Method and system for a networked self-configuring communication device utilizing user preference information

ABSTRACT

A first electronic device may enable generation, updating, and/or storage of user configuration information. The user configuration information may comprise information pertaining to device configuration and/or operational preferences specific to the device user and/or various use settings, connectivity, and/or use of available resources. The generation, updating, and/or storage of the user configuration information may be performed manually and/or automatically, and may be performed directly within the first electronic device and/or via networked devices, which may communicatively coupled to the first electronic device. A second electronic device may be enabled to be communicatively coupled to the first electronic device and/or the networked devices. The second electronic device may then be enabled to download existing user configuration information from the first electronic device and/or the networked device, and the downloaded user configuration may be utilized to configure the second electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/916,808, filed Mar. 9, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/949,396, filed Nov. 23, 2015 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,918,218), which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/138,249, filed Jun. 12, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,030),which makes reference to, claims priority to and claims benefit fromU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/943,484, filed on Jun. 12,2007; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

This application also makes reference to:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,184—U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,294,issued Dec. 11, 2012 filed on Sep. 28, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/861,224—U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,668issued Sep. 27, 2011 filed on Sep. 25, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/861,786—U.S. Pat. No. 8,457,595,issued Jun. 4, 2013 filed on Sep. 26, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/861,220 filed on Sep. 25, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,202—U.S. Pat. No. 9,509,795,issued Nov. 29, 2016 filed on Sep. 28, 2007:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,562—U.S. Pat. No. 8,442,015,issued May 14, 2013 filed on Sep. 28, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,407—U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,334,issued Dec. 11, 2012 filed on Sep. 28, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,255—U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,042,issued Jan. 5, 2016 filed on Sep. 28, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/865,799—U.S. Pat. No. 7,953,038,issued May 31, 2011 filed on Oct. 2, 2007;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,095—U.S. Pat. No. 8,553,623,issued Oct. 8, 2013 filed on Sep. 28, 2007; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/864,383 filed on Sep. 28, 2007.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable].

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable].

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication devices.More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to amethod and system for a networked self-configuring communication deviceutilizing user preference information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of mobile and/or wireless communication has seen dramaticgrowth the last few years. In today's world, most people use wirelessdevices for various purposes, including business and personal, on aconstant and daily basis. Society is truly becoming a mobile andwireless one. Numerous wireless solutions have been introduced, and havemade a tremendous impact on everyday life.

For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has beengaining popularity in a great number of applications because of theflexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systemsgenerally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connectperipheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distancewireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits(typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardizedtechnologies, for example Bluetooth (BT) technology. While WPAN may bevery beneficial for certain applications, other applications may requirelarger service areas and/or capabilities.

To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been developed to providegreater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systemsmay operate within a 100-meter range, for example. In contrast to theWPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are locatedwithin a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered bya building or a campus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based onspecific standards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, andtypically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilizedto supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wiredLocal Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as theWLAN system.

Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from traditionalland-based communication technologies. For instance, cellular phoneshave become just about an absolute necessity in today's world. Whilecellular technology was merely intended to add an element of mobility tothe traditional telephony service, this technology has grown beyond thatinitial purpose. Many modern cellular technologies, including suchtechnologies as GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000, incorporatesubstantial data capabilities. Most of today's cellular services includesuch features as text messaging, video streaming, and web browsing, forexample.

Placing various wireless technologies in a single communication deviceis another trend in the wireless world. For instance, some wirelessdevices such as cell phones may include WLAN and WPAN functionalities.For example, Bluetooth technology may be utilized to connect a laptopcomputer or a handheld wireless terminal to a peripheral device, such asa keyboard, mouse, headphone, and/or printer, while the laptop computeror the handheld wireless terminal is also connected to a campus-wideWLAN network through an access point (AP) located within the building.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for a networked self-configuringcommunication device utilizing user preference information,substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates exemplary setup comprising apersonal electronic (PE) device, which may be utilized in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that maybe integrated within a personal electronic (PE) device to enablemanagement of user configuration, and utilization of plurality ofcommunication interfaces and/or devices, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates use of stored user preferenceinformation to configure a secondary personal electronic (PE) device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart that illustrates use of stored user preferenceinformation to configure a secondary personal electronic (PE) device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor a networked self-configuring communication device utilizing userpreference information. A first personal electronic (PE) device mayenable generation, updating, and/or storage of user configurationinformation. The user configuration information may comprise informationpertaining to device configuration and/or operational preferencesspecific to the device user and/or various use settings, connectivity,and/or use of available resources. The generation, updating, and/orstorage of the user configuration information may be performed manuallyand/or automatically, and may be performed directly within the first PEdevice and/or via networked devices, which may be communicativelycoupled to the first PE device. A second PE device may be enabled to becommunicatively coupled to the first PE device and/or the networkeddevices. The second PE device may then be enabled to download existinguser configuration information from the first PE device and/or thenetworked device, and the downloaded user configuration may be utilizedto configure the second PE device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates exemplary setup for apersonal electronic (PE) device, which may be utilized in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is showna personal electronic (PE) device 102, a local wireless device 104 a, alocal networked device 104 b, a remote device 104 c, and an access point106. FIG. 1 also shows a distribution network 108, a wireless network110, a cellular transceiver 112, a cellular network 114, a backbonenetwork 116, a local network 118, a wireless link 120, a cellular link122, a Personal Area Networks (PAN) device 124, and a Wireless PersonalArea Networks (WPAN) link 126.

The personal electronic (PE) device 102 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that enables performing one or more tasksrequested via users of the PE device 102. For example, the PE device 102may enable personal communication, audio/video recording and/or playing,gaming operations, and/or various other tasks, which may be requestedvia the PE device 102 by a user. The PE device 102 may be enabled tocommunicate with one or more of supported wireless and/or wirednetworks, and may also enable use of local and/or remote resources, toperform tasks requested via the PE device 102 for example. A user of thePE device 102 may utilize the PE device 102 directly, via supported userinterfaces within the PE device 102, and/or indirectly via availablenetworks and/or via other devices, such as the PAN device 124, which mayinteract with the PE device 102 via a communication interface. Forexample, the PE device 102 may comprise a portable handheldcommunication device, such as a Smartphone, a cellphone, a PDA, amultimedia device, which may be communicatively coupled to plurality ofavailable networks, resources, and/or other communication devices whichmay exist locally and/or remotely.

The PE device 102 may comprise functionality that may enable utilizingone or more of available networks, to connect to available devicesand/or resources for example. The network connectivity may be achieveddirectly, wherein the PE device 102 may be connected via wiredconnections, including, for example, use of a cable and/or opticalinterface, to LAN and/or WAN networks. The PE device 102 may alsocomprise one or more wireless communication interfaces, including, forexample, WPAN, WLAN, and/or cellular interfaces, which may be operableto provide connectivity to corresponding networks and/or devices. The PEdevice 102 may comprise a user interface functionality that may enableone or more users to utilize the PE device 102 as an end user deviceand/or as an end user terminal device.

The PE device 102 may comprise functionality that enables generation,storage, modification, and/or utilization of user configurationinformation during use of the PE device 102 by a user. The userconfiguration information may comprise information pertaining to deviceconfiguration and/or operational preferences specific to the deviceuser(s) and/or various use settings, connectivity, and/or use ofavailable resources. Additionally, the PE device 102 may also comprisefunctionality that may enable performing user identification, forauthentication and/or security purposes for example. The identificationmay be performed, for example, based on login information, based oncompiled association information, between particular user and particulartasks and/or resource, and/or based on determined physical attributes ofthe user. The physical attributes of the user may be determinedutilizing, for example, biometric based mechanisms within or coupled tothe PE device 102. For example, the PE device 102 may comprise abiometric data acquisition subsystem which may enable performingacquisition, validation, and modification of physiological and/orbehavioral biometric data. Biometric data, which may comprise fingerprints, retina data, or behavioral patterns, may be unique to a person;and thus it may be utilized to identify a particular user. The PE device102 may be utilized to enable use of plurality of the local and/orremote devices, for example, the local wireless device 104 a, the localnetworked device 104 b, and/or the remote device 104 c to perform tasksrequested by a user via the PE device 102.

The local wireless device 104 a may comprise suitable logic, circuitryand/or code that is enabled to communicate with the PE device 102 toperform a function that may be pertinent to a task requested via the PEdevice 102, and for which the local wireless device 104 a may be bettersuited to perform. The invention may not be limited to a specificdevice, and may comprise, for example, a general purpose processingdevice, a specialized processing device, a specialized peripheraldevice, or any combination of suitable hardware, and/or code, which maybe enabled to perform a task requested via the PE device 102. Forexample, the local wireless device 104 a may comprise a high-definitiontelevision (HDTV) set, a dedicated audio system, and/or a digital videoplayer device, which may be optimized to provide improved audio and/orvideo output quality.

The local wireless device 104 a may be enabled to communicate with thePE device 102 directly via wireless connections. The local wirelessdevice 104 a may be enabled to communicate with the PE device 102 viaone or more the wireless protocols supported via the PE device 102,including, for example, WLAN, WiMAX, and/or WPAN such as ZigBee,Ultra-wideband (UWB), and/or Bluetooth. Alternatively, the communicationbetween the local wireless device 104 a and the PE device 102 may beperformed directly based on device-specific interface, which maycomprise suitable functionality that enables forming connections betweenspecific devices. For example, the local wireless device 104 a and thePE device 102 may be enabled to utilize a proprietary standard ofwireless communication between these devices.

The local networked device 104 b may be substantially similar to thelocal wireless device 104 a. However, the local networked device 104 bmay be enabled to communicate with the PE device 102 indirectly via oneor more of available local networks that the PE device 102 may becoupled with, including, for example, wireless network 110, to provide aservice that may be pertinent to a task requested via the PE device 102.For example, the local networked device 104 b may comprise a personalcomputer (PC), a printer, scanner, and/or fax device, a dedicated memorystorage device, and/or a digital video recorder device. Consequently,the local service resource 104 a may be utilized, for example, as amedia service device which may provide multimedia streaming that may beread via the PE device 102.

The remote device 104 c may be comprised substantially similar to thelocal networked device 104 b and/or the local wireless device. However,the remote device 104 c may also comprise functionality to enable remotecommunication with the PE device 102, via, for example, the cellularnetwork 110, the backbone network 116, and the local network 118. Forexample, the remote device 104 c may comprise a home PC, which maycomprise improved processing subsystems and/or increased memory space.Such home PC may be better suited to perform processing and/or storageintensive tasks. The PE device 102 may utilize the remote device 104 c,for example, for secure storage of data that may be created and/ormaintained in the PE device 102, and/or as a backup depository for mediafiles.

The wireless network 110 may comprise a plurality of the access point106, the distribution network 108, and suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable implementing a functional block corresponding to awireless technology. Exemplary wireless technology may comprise forexample the WLAN (IEEE 802.11) or the WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) architecture.The access point 106 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry,and/or code that may provide access network to the wireless network 110for wireless capable devices, for example the PE device 102. Thedistribution network 108 may comprise suitable hardware, logic,circuitry, and/or code that may be enabled to operate as a backbonenetwork that may be responsible for transport and link functionality fora plurality of access points in the wireless network 110.

The cellular network 114 may comprise plurality of the cellulartransceiver 112, and suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that mayenable communication via one or more cellular technologies. Exemplarycellular technologies may comprise CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA1000, HSDPA, GSM,GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS. The cellular transceiver 112 may comprise suitablehardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be utilized to enabletransmission and/or reception of cellular based communications betweenthe cellular network 114 and cellular capable devices, for example thePE device 102. For example, the cellular transceiver 112 may correspondto cellular towers and/or base stations within a cellular communicationsystem.

The PAN device 124 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable performing some accessory functionality in conjunctionwith the use of the PE device 102 based on a PAN protocol. For example,the PAN device 124 may comprise a hands-free headset that may beutilized, in conjunction with the PE device 102 to facilitatedconducting cellular based calls. The PE device 102 may interact with thePAN device 124 via one or more PAN interfaces, which may be based onwired and/or wireless PAN protocols. For example, the PE device 102 maycommunicate with the PAN device 124 via the WPAN link 126. The WPAN link126 may be based on a standardized technology for inter-device shortrange communication. For example, the WPAN link 126 may correspond toBluetooth, ZigBee, and/or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) connections between thePAN device 124 and the PE device 102.

The backbone network 116 may comprise suitable hardware, logic,circuitry, and/or code that may be operable to provide overall systemconnectivity among local and/or remote sub-networks. The backbonenetwork 116 may be enabled to interact with, and connect different wiredand/or wireless technologies. For example, the backbone network maycomprise a standard telephony network (POTS) that may enable dataconnectivity between different interface nodes linking wired and/orwireless networks comprising WLAN networks, WiMAX networks, cellularnetworks, and/or LAN networks.

The local network 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable local connectivity. This local connectivity may compriseuse of Local Area Network (LAN) technologies that enable data services,including but not limited to, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. Other technologiesmay comprise WiMAX. The local network 118 may be accessed, for example,by the PE device 102, via wireless network 110 and/or the cellularnetwork 114, and the backbone network 116.

In operation, the PE device 102 may be utilized to perform one or moretasks requested via users of the PE device 102. For example, the PEdevice 102 may enable personal communication, playing and/or recordingaudio/video streams, and/or may be utilized as a gaming counsel. The PEdevice 102 may also enable connectivity via a plurality of availablenetworks and/or communication interfaces, which may be necessary toperform requested tasks. For example, the PE device 102 may utilize thewireless link 120 to access the wireless network 110 via the accesspoint 106. The PE device 102 may also utilize the cellular link 122 toaccess the cellular network 114 via the cellular transceiver 112. The PEdevice 102 may communicate with the local networked device 104 b via thewireless network 110 through the access point 106 and the distributionnetwork 108. The distribution network 108 and/or the cellular network114 may also enable forwarding messages and/or data sent from, and tothe PE device 102.

The backbone network 116 may enable connectivity between local networks,for example wireless network 110 and/or the cellular network 114, andremote networks, comprising, for example, the local network 118.Protocol-based operations may be performed to facilitate thetransmission of information through all the different components. Thismay comprise use of exemplary protocols such as TCP, IP, UPD, and/orSS7. Network connectivity and/or communication interfaces supported viathe PE device 102 may enable communicating with other devices. Forexample, the PE device may communicate with the local networked device104 b via the wireless network 110. The remote device 104 c may beenabled to communicate with the PE device 102 through the backbonenetwork 116, via the local network 118. The PE device 102 may also beenabled to communicate directly with other devices and/or resources. Forexample, the PE device 102 may communicate directly with the PAN device124 via the WP AN link 126. The PE device 102 may also communicatedirectly with the local wireless device 104 a, and such communicationmay be based on existing wireless and/or wired interfaces, and/or thecommunication may be based on device-specific interfaces that may belimited to class of devices comprising the PE device 102 and the localwireless device 104 a.

A user of the PE device 102 may request tasks that may be performeddirectly via the PE device 102, and/or via the connectivity of PE device102 to available networks, devices, and/or resources. For example, thePE device 102 may be enabled to communicate with the local networkeddevice 104 b and/or the remote device 104 c to facilitate accessingservices provided by the local networked device 104 b and/or the remotedevice 104 c. The PE device 102 may be enabled, for example, to accessmedia, storage, processing, and/or gaming services based on one or moretasks requested by a user of the PE device 102. The PE device 102 mayalso be enabled to utilize devices available directly via communicationinterfaces within the PE device 102. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, when requested by a user, the PE device 102 may communicatemultimedia files received from the local networked device 104 b and/orthe remote device 104 c to the local wireless device 104 c, which mayenable, improved output quality of audio and/or video contents of themultimedia files.

The PE device 102 may be enabled to generate, store, and/or update userconfiguration information that may be utilized in facilitating use ofthe PE device 102 by a particular user to perform requested tasks,and/or in identifying and/or authenticating the user. The userconfiguration information may also be generated, stored, and/or updatedremotely, in the remote device 104 c for example, based oncommunications via the PE device 102, to ensure security and/orefficiency. The user configuration information may comprise, forexample, information pertaining to device configuration and/oroperational preferences specific to the device user and/or various usesettings, network connectivity, service access, secure accessinformation, network and service access information and/or preferencesthat are unique to particular users, and/or manner of use of availableresources. For example, the user configuration information may specifyvarious user specific device operational preferences, comprisingfavorite broadcast channels and/or website, favorite games, game statusinformation, and media consumption settings. Exemplary media consumptionsettings may comprise file types and/or video or audio presentationpreferences, website access information, user interface configurationpreferences, and/or directory information. The user configurationinformation may also specify particular devices, for example, the remotedevice 104 c, which may be accessed to perform certain type ofoperations and/or to store and retrieve specific category of data. Theuser configuration information may also specify connectivity relatedinformation comprising, for example, types of networks to beconnectively coupled to, the wireless network 110 for example, and/orother performance related criteria such as cost, availability, bandwidthlevel, QoS capabilities, security, and reliability. The PE device 102may also enable a set of the plurality of supported users to share userconfiguration information, wherein such set of users may be treated as aspecific group.

The PE device 102 may also be enabled to identify a particular user in avariety of manners. For example, the PE device 102 may identify aparticular user by login information, which may be determined based onuser configuration information; physical attributes of the person, whichmay be derived from biometric functionality that may integrated withinthe PE device 102 or utilized externally to it; and/or based onpredetermined associations between particular user and peripheraldevices, resources, and/or communication interfaces.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that maybe integrated within a personal electronic (PE) device to enablemanagement of user configuration, and utilization of plurality ofcommunication interfaces and/or devices, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown asystem 150, a processing subsystem 152, a memory subsystem 154, anetwork access manager 156, a plurality of PHY layers 158, a wiredfront-end 160, a wireless front-end 162, a communication interfacemodule 164, a user interface modules 166, a user configuration manager168, a plurality of devices 170, . . . , 172, a cellular network 174, awireless local area network (WLAN) 176, a Wireless Metropolitan AreaNetworks (WMAN) 178, a Personal area network (PAN) 180, and an internetnetwork 182.

The system 150 may comprise the processing subsystem 152, the memorysubsystem 154, the network access manager 156, the plurality of PHYlayers 158, the wired front-end 160, the wireless front-end 162, thecommunication interface modules 164, the user interface modules 166, theuser configuration manager 168. The system 150 may also compriseadditional suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enablemanagement of user configuration, and utilization of plurality ofcommunication interfaces and/or devices.

The processing subsystem 152 may comprise suitable logic, circuitryand/or code that enables performing processing operations. The inventionmay not be limited to a specific processor, but may comprise forexample, a general purpose processor, a specialized processor or anycombination of suitable hardware, firmware, software and/or code, whichmay be enabled to provide particular processing operations. For example,the processing subsystem 152 may comprise a plurality of processors thatmay enable performing various processing operations, comprising generalcontrol and/or processing functionality, and/or processing pertinent toparticular tasks and/or operations. The memory subsystem 154 maycomprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable storageand/or retrieval of data and/or code in the system 150. For example, thememory subsystem 154 may comprise a plurality of memory components whichmay be utilized by the processing subsystem 152 and/or the remainingsubsystems and/or components in system 150 during various operations inthe system.

The network access manager 156 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,and/or code that may enable performing management and/or controloperations that may facilitate access to available networks. Forexample, the network access manager 156 may be utilized within thesystem 200 to enable access to one or more of the cellular network 174,the WLAN network 176, the WMAN network 178, the PAN network 180, and/orthe internet network 182. Each of the plurality of PHY layers 158 maycorrespond to the physical layer within the Open System Interface (OSI)model, which may enable transmitting raw bits via communication linksbased on a wired or wireless interface. For example, one of theplurality of PHY layers 158 may correspond to the physical layer withinthe Bluetooth stack, which may comprise functionality that enabletransmission and/or reception of raw bits via Bluetooth basedcommunication links.

The wired front-end 160 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable transmission and/or reception of communication viaone or more wired interfaces, based on, for example, one or more of theplurality of PHY layers 158. For example, the wired front-end 160 mayenable communications via USB terminals, modem connectivity, externalmemory devices interfaces, and/or FireWire interface. The wirelessfront-end 162 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code thatmay enable transmission and/or reception of communication via one ormore wireless based interface, based on, for example, one or more of theplurality of PHY layers 158. For example, the wireless front-end 162 maycomprise antenna systems that may enable transmission and/or receptionof communication via WLAN, Bluetooth, WiMAX, and/or cellular basedinterfaces.

The communication interface modules 164 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that enables, via the system 150, utilization,control, and/or management of communication via plurality ofcommunication interfaces, for example via the wired front-end 160 and/orthe wireless front-end 162, based on one or more corresponding layers inthe plurality of the PHY layer 158. For example, the communicationinterface modules 164 may comprise modules to enable communication viavarious wireless and/or wired communication interface, comprising,Bluetooth interface, other WPAN (IEEE 802.15) interface, WLAN (IEEE802.11) interface, WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) interface, Mobile BroadbandWireless Access (MBWA, IEEE 802.20) interface, Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA) interfaces, GSM/GPRS/EDGE interfaces, CDMA/CDMA200/WCDMAinterfaces, H.323 interface, USB interface, and/or Modem interface.

The user interface modules 166 may comprise suitable logic, circuitryand/or code that enables utilization of various user interfaces that maybe available via the system 150. For example, the system 150 may beintegrated within a device, for example the PE device 102, to enablesupporting user interfaces in the device to enable direct interactionswith the device by users of the device. The user interface modules 166may enable utilization of video based input/output (I/O) interfaces, viadisplay and/or digital camera components in the system 150 for example;the user interface modules 166 may also enable of audio based I/Ointerfaces, via speaker and/or microphone components in the system 150for example. The user interfaces modules 166 may also enable utilizationof physical based input/output (I/O) interfaces, via touch screen,vibration, gyroscopic and/or keypad components in the system 150 forexample.

The user configuration manager 168 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that enables performing of management and/orcontrol operations pertaining to the user configuration informationcorresponding to a supported user, or a group of users, of a device thatmay comprise the system 150. For example, where the system 150 may beintegrated within the PE device 102, the user configuration manager 168may enable generation, storage, updating, and/or use of userconfiguration information, substantially as described with respect toFIG. 1.

Each of the plurality of devices 170, . . . , 172, may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry and/or code that is enabled to provide, external todevice comprising the system 150, various services and/or functionalitythat may be necessary to perform a requested task via the system 150.For example, the plurality of devices 170, . . . , 172, may comprise thelocal wireless device 104 a, the local networked device 104 b, and/orthe remote device 104 c, substantially as described with respect to FIG.1.

The cellular network 174 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable implementing a functional block corresponding to acellular technology, comprising, for example, but not limited to, CDMA,WCDMA, CDMA1000, HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and/or UMTS. The WLAN network176 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enableimplementing a functional block corresponding to a WLAN protocol,including, for example, IEEE 802.11. The WMAN network 178 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable implementing afunctional block corresponding to a WMAN protocol, comprising, forexample, IEEE 802.16. The PAN network 180 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that may enable implementing a functional blockcorresponding to a PAN interface. The PAN network 180 may comprise wiredbased connectivity, via buses such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), forexample. Additionally, wireless personal area network (WPAN) may beutilized, comprising, for example, WPAN protocols such as Bluetooth(IEEE 802.15), UWB, and/or ZigBee. The Internet network 182 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable implementing afunctional block corresponding to an internet protocol, includingInternet Protocol (IP) for example.

In operation, the system 150 may be integrated within a device, forexample the PE device 102, to enable management of user configuration,and utilization of plurality of communication interfaces and/or devices.The processing subsystem 152 and/or the memory subsystem 152 may beutilized to enable overall control and management, and/or to enablemanagement and/or control during particular operations within the system150, for example, during DSP, audio, and/or video processing.

The system 150 may enable connectivity related operations to facilitateperforming tasks requested via the PE device 102. For example, networkconnectivity may be performed via the network access manager 156, whichmay enable managing access to one or more of the cellular network 174,the WLAN network 176, the WMAN network 178, the PAN network 180, and/orthe internet network 182. During network accessibility operations, thesystem 150 may utilize appropriate PHY functionality, within theplurality of PHY layers 158, to enable transmission and/or reception ofcommunication between the system 150 and the corresponding network. Forexample, to facilitate connectivity with the WLAN network 176, thenetwork access manager 156 may be enabled to utilize a WLAN PHY withinthe plurality of PHY layers 158 to enable the system 150 to perform WLANbased communications. The system 150 may also enable the PE device 102to utilize one or more of the plurality of devices 170, . . . , 172,which may be utilized to perform specific operations that may not beavailable, or optimal, directly via the PE device 102. Networkconnectivity, via the network access manager 156, may be utilized toenable access to the desired devices. Additionally, the system 150 maybe enabled to utilize appropriate PHY functionality within the pluralityof PHY layers 158, to enable direct transmission and/or reception ofmessaging between the system 150 and the corresponding device(s).

The system 150 may enable a user of the PE device 102 to interactindirectly via the user interface modules 166. For example, the userinterface modules 166 may enable users of the PE device 102 via videobased I/O interfaces, audio based I/O interfaces, and/or physical basedI/O interfaces. The system 150 may also enable the user to communicateindirectly, via network connectivity. For example, communicationsbetween users and the system 150 may be transmitted and/or received viathe wireless front-end 256 and/or the wired front-end 258, based on oneor more of the various interfaces supported via the communicationmodules 164.

The user configuration manager 168 may enable performing userconfiguration operation via the system 150, including, for example,generation, storage, and/or update of user configuration information.The user configuration operations may be performed directly via system150. For example, the user configuration manager 168 may enableperforming generation, storage, and/or updating of user configurationinformation within the system 150, via the processing subsystem 152and/or the memory subsystem 154. In some instances, at least a portionof the user configuration operations may be performed external to thesystem 150, utilizing, for example, network connectivity and/oraccessibility to available devices and/or resources via variouscommunication interfaces. For example, the user configuration manager168 may be enabled to communicate with one or more of the plurality ofdevices 170, . . . , 172, via the network access manager 156 and/or thecommunication interface modules 166, to enable performing at least aportion of the generation, storage, and/or updating of userconfiguration information via such devices.

The generation of the user configuration information, via the userconfiguration manager 168, may be performed automatically, duringinitial setup on a device comprising the system 150 for example. Thegeneration of the user configuration information may also be performmanually, based on user commands, for example, which may communicateddirectly into the system 150 via the user interface 166, and/orindirectly via the communication interface modules 164 for example. Thegenerated user configuration information may be updated. The updating ofthe user configuration information may be performed manually, based onuser commands for example, which may communicated directly into thesystem 150 via the user interface 166, and/or indirectly via thecommunication interface modules 164. In some instances, the updating ofthe user configuration information may be performed automatically, basedon pre-determined conditions. For example, the user configurationinformation may be updated and/or modified at pre-determined periodicintervals, when a device comprising the system 150 is used in mannerdifferent than existing operational preferences, and/or when an updateis triggered by specified use and/or operating conditions.

Generated and/or updated user configuration information may be storedwithin the system 150, for example via the memory subsystem 154.Alternatively, the generated and/or updated user configurationinformation may be uploaded into a remote storage entity, within one ormore of the plurality of devices 170, . . . , 172 for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates use of stored user preferenceinformation to configure a secondary personal electronic (PE) device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2,there is shown a first PE device 202 a, a second PE device 202 b, anetworked device 204, a plurality of communication interfaces 206, apersonal area network (PAN) interface 208, a Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) interface 210, a cellular interface 212, and a device-basedinterface 214, and a network 216.

Each of the PE devices 202 a and 202 b may be substantially similar tothe PE device 102. For example, each of the PE devices 202 a and 202 bmay comprise an instance of the system 150 to enable management of userconfiguration, and utilization of plurality of communication interfacesand/or devices. The networked device 204 may comprise a device that maybe enabled to communicate with the PE devices 202 a and/or 202 b, viathe plurality of communication interfaces 206 and/or the network 216 forexample, to enable performing tasks requested via the PE devices 202 aand/or 202 b. For example, the networked device 204 may be substantiallysimilar to the local wireless device 104 a, the local networked device104 b, and/or the remote device 104 c.

The plurality of communication interfaces 206 may comprise one or moreinterfaces that may enable direct communications between PE devices 202a and 202 b, and/or may enable connectivity to the networked device 204,via the network 216 for example. The plurality of communicationinterfaces 206 may comprise one or more wireless interfaces. Theinvention may not be limited to a specific type of wireless interface,but may comprise for example, the PAN interface 208, the WLAN interface210, and/or the cellular interface 212. The plurality of communicationinterfaces 206 may also comprise the device-based interface 214, whichmay enable communication between specific types of devices. The PANinterface 208 may comprise suitable functionality that enables formingconnections based on the PAN protocol, including, for example, Bluetooth(IEEE 802.15), ZigBee, and/or UWB. The WLAN interface 210 may comprisesuitable functionality that enables forming connections based on theWLAN standard (IEEE 802.11). The cellular interface 212 may comprisesuitable functionality that enables forming connections based on one ormore cellular standards comprising GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA, HSDPA, UMTS, LTEand CDMA2000. The device-based interface 214 may comprise suitablefunctionality that enables forming connections between specific devices.For example, the PE device 202 a, the PE device 202 b, and/or thenetworked device 204 may be enabled to utilize a proprietary standard ofwireless protocol to facilitate communication between these devices.

The network 216 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry, and/orcode that is operable to provide connectivity among local and/or remotesub-networks. The network 216 may be enabled to interact with, andconnect to different wired and/or wireless interfaces. For example, thenetwork 216 may comprise a telephony network such as a plain oldtelephone system (POTS) and/or an a packet based network that may enabledata connectivity between different interface nodes linking wired and/orwireless networks comprising WLAN networks, WiMAX networks, PANnetworks, cellular networks, and/or LAN networks. The network 216 mayenable use of the networked device 204, via the plurality ofcommunication interfaces 206, by the PE devices 202 a and/or 202 b, toperform various requested tasks, including, for example, storage and/orretrieval of user configuration information.

In operation, the PE device 202 a may be enabled to develop userconfiguration information. For example, the 202 a may comprise thesystem 150, and may be able generate, store, and/or update the userconfiguration information, substantially as described with respect toFIG. 1A. The user configuration information may be developed directlywithin the PE device 202 a, utilizing, for example, the system 150,substantially as described with respect to FIG. 1B.

The user configuration information development, maintenance and/oradministration may also be performed remotely, in the networked device204, based on communication transmitted and/or received by the PE device202 a, via the plurality of communication interfaces 206 and/or thenetwork 216 for example. The user configuration information may bestored directly within the PE device 202 a, via the memory subsystem 154in the system 150 for example. The user configuration information mayalso be uploaded, downloaded and/or otherwise communicated to thenetworked device 204 device, via network connectivity between the PEdevice 202 a and networked device 204, to enable remote and/or securestorage, utilizing, for example, the system 150, substantially asdescribed in FIG. 1B. The uploading of user configuration informationmay be performed manually, based on user commands, which may becommunicated into the PE device 202 a via the user interface modules 166in the system 150, substantially as described in FIG. 1B. The uploadingof the user configuration information may also be performedautomatically, based on specified intervals and/or conditions forexample. The user configuration information may be updated, via the PEdevice 202 a for example, and the updated user configuration informationmay be uploaded into the networked device 204. The updating of the userconfiguration information may be performed manually, based on usercommands, and/or it may be performed automatically, during use of the PEdevice 202 a, based on, for example, specific use conditions.

Where a user of the PE device 202 a may initiate use of a secondary PEdevice, for example the PE device 202 b, it may be advantageous toimport into the PE device 202 b, existing user configuration informationgenerated and/or updated via the PE device 202 a. The existing userconfiguration information may be downloaded into the PE device 202 b,and may be utilized, for example, to configure the PE device 202 b withsimilar operations preferences as with the PE device 202 b, which arespecific to the user of both devices. The PE device 202 b may be enabledto receive the user configuration information directly from the PEdevice 202 a. For example, the PE devices 202 s and 202 b may be enabledto communicate directly via the plurality of communication interfaces206. The PE device 202 b may be enabled, for example, to request and/orreceive the user configuration information from the PE device 202 a viathe PAN interface 208, the WLAN interface 210, the cellular interface212, and/or the device-specific interface 214. In some instances, thedevice 202 b may also be enabled to receive the user configurationinformation via a networked device, for example the networked device204, which may be utilized and a centralized depository for userconfiguration information accessible by one or more users. For example,user configuration information developed, stored, and/or updated by thePE device 202 a via the networked device 204 may be received by PEdevice 202 b from the networked device 204.

The PE device 202 b may be enabled, for example, to request and/orreceive the user configuration information from the networked device 204via the network 216 and/or the plurality of communication interfaces206. The downloading and/or use of the user configuration information bythe PE device 202 b may be performed manually, based on user commandsfor example; and/or it may be performed automatically, based on, forexample, specific use conditions. For example, initiating download andconfiguration of the PE device 202 b utilizing existing userconfiguration information may be performed via user commandscommunicated into the PE device 202 b, via the user interface modules166 in the system 150 for example, substantially as described in FIG.1B. In some instances, it may be determined whether a match may existbetween a user of the PE device and identity of user corresponding touser configuration information stored within the PE device 202 a. Thenetworked device 204 may be operable to automatically trigger downloadand configuration of the PE device 202 b utilizing existing userconfiguration information.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart that illustrates use of stored user preferenceinformation to configure a secondary personal electronic (PE) device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3,there is shown a flow chart 300 comprising a plurality of exemplarysteps, which may enable.

In step 302, user configuration information may be developed via a firstpersonal electronic (PE) device. For example, user configurationinformation may be generated and/or updated via the PE device 202 a,substantially as described in FIG. 2. In step 304, the PE device may becommunicatively coupled to networked devices to enable generation,updating, and/or storage of user configuration information. For example,the PE device 202 a may be communicatively coupled to the networkeddevice 204, substantially as described in FIG. 2, to enable uploading ofuser configuration information. In an embodiment of the invention, thecoupled networked device may also be utilized to perform the generationand/or updating of the user configuration information based oncommunication by the PE device.

In step 306, user configuration information may be uploaded from the PEdevice to the networked device. For example, user configurationinformation may be uploaded from the PE device 202 a to the networkeddevice 204. In step 308, a second PE device may be communicativelycoupled to the first PE device and/or the networked devices. Forexample, the PE device 202 b may be communicatively coupled to the PEdevice 202 a, and/or the networked device 204, via the network 216and/or the plurality of communication interface 206, substantially asdescribed in FIG. 2. In step 310, the second PE device may download anduse user configuration information. For example, the PE device 202 b maydownload the user configuration information from the PE device 202 aand/or the networked device 204, and the downloaded user configurationinformation may be utilized to enable configuring the PE device 202 busing, for example, existing user operational preferences.

Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and systemfor a networked self-configuring communication device utilizing userpreference information. The personal electronic (PE) device 202 a mayenable generation, updating, and/or storage of user configurationinformation. The user configuration information may comprise informationpertaining to device configuration and/or operational preferencesspecific to the device user and/or various use settings, connectivity,and/or use of available resources. The generation, updating, and/orstorage of the user configuration information may be performed manuallyand/or automatically, and may be performed directly within the PE device202 a and/or via the networked device 204. The generation, updating,and/or storage of the user configuration information may also beperformed directly within the PE device 202 a, and/or via the networkeddevice 204, which may be communicatively coupled to the PE device 202 a.The PE device 202 b may be enabled to communicatively couple to the PEdevice 202 a and/or the networked device 204. The PE device 202 b maythen be enabled to download existing user configuration information fromthe PE device 202 a and/or the networked device 204; and the downloadeduser configuration may be utilized to configure the PE device 202 b.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine and/orcomputer readable storage and/or medium, having stored thereon, amachine code and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for a networkedself-configuring communication device utilizing user preferenceinformation.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a plurality ofcomputing devices connected via one or more networks, wherein the systemis configured to receive login information corresponding to a firstuser; identify the first user based on the login information; retrieveuser configuration information corresponding to the first user; controlprovision of a media content streaming service to a first computingdevice of the plurality of computing devices based on the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user; update theuser configuration information corresponding to the first user based onthe provision of the media content streaming service to the firstcomputing device; receive login information corresponding to the firstuser from a second computing device of the plurality of computingdevices; identify the first user based on the login information receivedfrom the second computing device; retrieve the updated userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user; and controlprovision of the media content streaming service to the second computingdevice based on the updated user configuration information correspondingto the first user.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcomputing devices are distinct devices configured to be communicativelycoupled via the one or more networks.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of computing devices is configured toreceive preference information corresponding to the first user from thefirst computing device.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least oneof the plurality of computing devices is configured to generate the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user based on thepreference information corresponding to the first user received from thefirst computing device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the plurality of computing devices is configured to transmit at leasta portion of the user configuration information corresponding to thefirst user to the first computing device upon identifying the first userbased on the login information received from the first computing device.6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality ofcomputing devices is configured to dynamically develop the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user based on theprovision of the media content streaming service to the first computingdevice.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user includes media consumptionsettings including at least video and audio presentation preferencescorresponding to the first computing device and the second computingdevice.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the pluralityof computing devices is configured to control provision of the mediacontent streaming service to the first computing device and the secondcomputing device based on the media consumption settings correspondingto the first computing device and the second computing device.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the media consumption settings correspondingto the first computing device are different than the media consumptionsettings corresponding to the second computing device.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the user configuration information corresponding to thefirst user includes information identifying content reproductioncapabilities corresponding to the first computing device and the secondcomputing device.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of computing devices is configured to control provision ofthe media content streaming service to the first computing device andthe second computing device based on the information identifying contentreproduction capabilities corresponding to the first computing deviceand the second computing device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein atleast one of the plurality of computing devices is configured to controlprovision of the media content streaming service to the first computingdevice and the second computing device by selecting a version ofcontent, from a plurality of stored versions of content, to be streamedto the first computing device or the second computing device based onthe information identifying content reproduction capabilitiescorresponding to the first computing device or the second computingdevice.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pluralityof computing devices is configured to identify connectivity relatedinformation corresponding to the first computing device and the secondcomputing device.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of computing devices is configured to control provision ofthe media content streaming service to the first computing device andthe second computing device based on the connectivity relatedinformation corresponding to the first computing device and the secondcomputing device.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the connectivityrelated information includes at least one of a network type, bandwidthlevel and quality of service capabilities.
 16. The system of claim 14,wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices is configuredto control provision of the media content streaming service to the firstcomputing device and the second computing device by selecting a versionof content, from a plurality of stored versions of content, to bestreamed to the first computing device or the second computing devicebased on the connectivity related information corresponding to the firstcomputing device and the second computing device.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices isconfigured to control provision of the media content streaming serviceto the first computing device and the second computing device from athird system communicatively coupled to the system via a network. 18.The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality ofcomputing devices is configured to control provision of the mediacontent streaming service to the first computing device and the secondcomputing device from a server remote from the system, the firstcomputing device and the second computing device.
 19. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the user configuration information identifies preferredcategories of content corresponding to the first user.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices isconfigured to control provision of content of the media contentstreaming service to the first computing device and the second computingdevice based on the preferred categories of content corresponding to thefirst user.
 21. The system of claim 1, further comprising: memoryconfigured to store user configuration information corresponding to aplurality of users including the first user, wherein at least one of theplurality of computing devices is configured to select the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user, from amongthe plurality of configuration information, based on the logininformation received from the first computing device.
 22. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices isconfigured to update the updated user configuration informationcorresponding to the first user based on the provision of the mediacontent streaming service to the second computing device.
 23. A systemcomprising: a plurality of computing devices connected via one or morenetworks, wherein the system is configured to receive login informationcorresponding to a first user; identify the first user based on thelogin information; retrieve user configuration information correspondingto the first user; control provision of a media content streamingservice to a first electronic device based on the user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user; update the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user based on theprovision of the media content streaming service to the first electronicdevice; receive login information corresponding to the first user from asecond electronic device; identify the first user based on the logininformation received from the second electronic device; retrieve theupdated user configuration information corresponding to the first user;and control provision of the media content streaming service to thesecond electronic device based on the updated user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user.
 24. The system of claim 23,wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices is configuredto: receive preference information corresponding to the first user fromthe first electronic device; and generate the user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user based on the preferenceinformation corresponding to the first user received from the firstelectronic device.
 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user includes mediaconsumption settings including at least video and audio presentationpreferences corresponding to the first electronic device and the secondelectronic device, at least one of the plurality of computing devices isconfigured to control provision of the media content streaming serviceto the first electronic device and the second electronic device based onthe media consumption settings corresponding to the first electronicdevice and the second electronic device, and the media consumptionsettings corresponding to the first electronic device are different thanthe media consumption settings corresponding to the second electronicdevice.
 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user includes informationidentifying content reproduction capabilities corresponding to the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device, and at least one ofthe plurality of computing devices is configured to control provision ofthe media content streaming service to the first electronic device andthe second electronic device by selecting a version of content, from aplurality of stored versions of content, to be streamed to the firstelectronic device or the second electronic device based on theinformation identifying content reproduction capabilities correspondingto the first electronic device or the second electronic device.
 27. Acontent provision method performed by a content provision systemcomprising a plurality of computing devices connected via one or morenetworks, the method comprising: performing, by the plurality ofcomputing devices connected via one or more networks receiving logininformation corresponding to a first user; identifying the first userbased on the login information; retrieving user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user; controlling provision of amedia content streaming service to a first electronic device based onthe user configuration information corresponding to the first user;updating the user configuration information corresponding to the firstuser based on the provision of the media content streaming service tothe first electronic device; receiving login information correspondingto the first user from a second electronic device; identifying the firstuser based on the login information received from the second electronicdevice; retrieving the updated user configuration informationcorresponding to the first user; and controlling provision of the mediacontent streaming service to the second electronic device based on theupdated user configuration information corresponding to the first user.28. The method of claim 27, further comprising performing, by theplurality of computing devices connected via one or more networks:receiving preference information corresponding to the first user fromthe first electronic device; and generating the user configurationinformation corresponding to the first user based on the preferenceinformation corresponding to the first user received from the firstelectronic device.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the userconfiguration information corresponding to the first user includesinformation identifying content reproduction capabilities correspondingto the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and themethod further comprises performing, by the plurality of computingdevices connected via one or more networks controlling provision of themedia content streaming service to the first electronic device and thesecond electronic device by selecting a version of content, from aplurality of stored versions of content, to be streamed to the firstelectronic device or the second electronic device based on theinformation identifying content reproduction capabilities correspondingto the first electronic device or the second electronic device.
 30. Asystem comprising: a plurality of computing devices connected via one ormore networks; means for receiving login information corresponding to afirst user; means for identifying the first user based on the logininformation; means for retrieving user configuration informationcorresponding to the first user; means for controlling provision of amedia content streaming service to a first electronic device based onthe user configuration information corresponding to the first user;means for updating the user configuration information corresponding tothe first user based on the provision of the media content streamingservice to the first electronic device; means for receiving logininformation corresponding to the first user from a second electronicdevice; means for identifying the first user based on the logininformation received from the second electronic device; means forretrieving the updated user configuration information corresponding tothe first user; and means for controlling provision of the media contentstreaming service to the second electronic device based on the updateduser configuration information corresponding to the first user.